The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-24
SARAH BERNHARDT AT HOME.

the European SlateSu-6u
HoRATIo S. WHITE.
SARAH BERNHARDT AT HOME.
How the Actress Lives, Moves and Has Her
Being--Her Friends and Her Habits.
Correspondence of I he Indianapolis Journal
PARIS. April S-Sarah Bernhardt has not only
remarkable sensbility; nature has bestowed
upon her other rare gifts-a fine intelligence and
exquisite taste. Her astute knowledge of the
world is the result Of a experience of the
world. She is very observant, and has known
personally an Immense number of people, some
of whom belong to the very highest ranks of So
ciety, others of whom have been famous in arts,
science and letters.
She RI @eives her friends, a rule, late in the
afternoon, between 5 and 6 o'clock, in the spa
cious parlors of her house in the rue ST.
Georges. where she has resided since creditors
forced her to quit the more sumptuous quarters
near the Pa 9 Monceau. The busy actress
often keeps vi tors waiting long time before
she makes ner appearance. When the door is
thrown open she enters with an easy, quiet
step-perhaps there is something feline here
and assumes stately. graceful, languid pose.
Her attire is always artistic and tasteful 1t has
a touch of the Oriental
There is great difference between the cos
tunes that Berrhardt dons at home and those
that she wears abroad. In her own house, her
dress is always oddly picturesque; at rehearsals
in the streets. in the shops, it is the neat aunty
attire of tne fashionable lady. One afternoon.
last spring. day or two after her first appear
ance as charming Ophelia in Hamlet" she
ceived the fluctuations of her admirers in room
filed with beautiful floral offerings. On this
occasion she a rich crimson velvet robe,
with rather short sleeves. The skirt did not
touch the foor and discovered her pretty little
pinkslippered feet The garment which was
held loosely to the waist by oriental jeweled
belt, to the wearing of which Bernhard inclines,
was open in front and disclosed an infinite num-
Der of pale pink silk perpendicular plaits which
began at the chin and ran to the bottom of the
dress This may be taken as specimen of her
unique toilets, IN which she looks like an En-
press of by gone age. But attired in a neat
brown walking dress, with her hands half hid
den in the pockets of a small jacket. Sarah is
perfect picture Of bewitching little Parsienne.
and reminds you, perhaps, of Frou Frou.
Bernhardt is very independent in her choice
of acquaintances. She objects decidedly to
meeting people who do not interest her, who
do not appeal in some way to her feelings. An
intimate of the great actress once asked if he
might bring friend of his to see her, and added:
He is a great admirer of you"
lis he sympatheticp asked Bernhardt quick
~, where most women would have said, SIS he
respectable?" And then she continued: II don't
care to know persons who are unsympatheticn
This explains, perhaps. why Sarah Bernhardt is
always so talkative cordial and sunny at her
ceptions; she feels that she is surrounded by
genial friends; she is sure that no cold bores
have strayed into her drawing room.
When the servant announces dinner. which
occurs perforce at an early hour, o'clock, in
order that the actress may reach the theater in
time, Sarah Bernhardt bids her callers good bye
and quietly retires. If. however, she happens
to be engaged In an interesting conversation
with some visitor, she invites him to follow her
into the dining room, where she sinks into
high backed. antique chair at the head of the
long table, which is always full. and asks him:
will you dine with me! No! Then place your
chair near NINE and let US begin where we left
off," Then she continues the chat with that
rapidity of speech for which she is famous both
on and off the stage. Her erunciation is phe-
nomenailv distinct. Every syllable is pro-
nonnced. which, added to the musical quality of
her voice, gives peculiar charm to her con-
versation
There are two inmates of the household that
call for word of notice. / refer to a brace of
dogs. huge mastiff and dlminutive black
poodle shaved in the common and hideous
Partisan fashion. Have you ever met my big
protectorl" she asks NO You expect to see
enter her Maurice, young man over
twenty, but in his stead great mongrel dog
rushes in on lyou, his wagging tail overturning
the teacups on the table, and his tongue ready
to lick the palm or face of his mistress and
guests. He goes straight to Sarah, and receives
with evident satisfaction the tender caresses of
her long slender hand.
When you enter Sarah Bernhardt's house the
first thing that attracts attention is the kitchen,
Immediately on your right. The door always
lofty blue and white porcelain stove that
reaches from floor to ceiling. Long
rows of highly polished copper saucepans,
kettles and griddies of all sizes aud shapes look
dow tbatp nGc ThoA Oor re
of tiles, kept clean the white tables where
the man cock is busy preparing the next meal,
dividing his time between splitting spring chick
en- and gazing out through the window at what
IS going on in the street.
But let US leave the hotel and look in for mo-
ment on Sarah's theatrical abode. The loge, or
dressing-room, of Partisan actors is with few
exceptions. neither well furnished nor comforta
bic. and Bernhardts lofe at the Porte-Saint-
Martin does not vary from the rule. You climb
many bad and poorly lighted stairs before
reaching very small ante-room, where you
have to wait, if the actress is changing
robes, until she is arrayed and ready to receive
you The dressing-room itself is of moderate
size, ard It's only decorations gorgeous stage
costumes lying about here and there on chairs
Over the fire place is a mirror, in the corner of
which is stuck print representing Mrs. Pritch-
ard as Lady Macbeth. and on the mantelp piece
are photographs of actors.
When you reach Bernhardts theatrical sane
tum sanctorum you may find the actress IN front
der to have her neck painted. by the maid in at
tendance, a white which will bear the yellow
glare of the foot lights. | have often heard
actors say that nothing In their profession is
more disagreeable to them than the difficult and
tle-appreciated art of making up" Bern
hardt by the way, has recently adopted more
pronounced style of face painting. which appears
we'll to the larger part of the audience, but looks
somewhat over-done to those sitting TOO near
the curtain.
| When the moment arrives to go upon the stage
| you may accompany the tragedian to a certain
| door on whose threshold the divine Sarah"
| throws You a bewitehing smile over her shoulder
| and leaves you alone among the flies aud wings.
| And when she comes back again. through this
! same door, after some exciting scene that has
| exhausted all her Mental ard bodily force, the
| smile reappears and pleasant, consderate words
| dropped 10 the right and left as this indie
| ta,igable woman hurries up to her dressing-room
| once more.
| Notwithstanding the many stairs to ascend
and descend, Notwithstanding the many cos
| TUNES to take of and put in the course of a